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A wardrobe essential is an indispensable staple without which your wardrobe would not function. They are versatile, current and often simple in design. They can be neutral or non-neutral. They can be dressed up or down. They are not necessarily the items that create the interesting part of the outfit, but are part of the solid foundation. They work season after season after season.

The all important word here is personal. Wardrobe essentials have to reflect your lifestyle, climate, body type, work environments and style preferences. That’s why I don’t believe in one universal wardrobe essentials list for everyone.

I posted my personal list of wardrobe essentials in 2009, saying then that it had been the same for years, and that I didn’t see it changing unless I had a fundamental shift in my lifestyle or preferences. It turns out that I have had two fundamental shifts in my style preferences:

One, I am embracing the ongoing trouser season, favouring them over skirts.

Camisoles: They keep me warm, make transparent tops wearable, and add a brightness to my cream and white shirts. I have several black, white and cream camisoles and wear one every day.

Button down shirts: My basic white and black button down shirts from Brooks Brothers work with all my bottoms, and are great layering pieces. They are my “t-shirt”. Shirts work for my style because I LOVE to scrunch sleeves and pop my collar, and I bat for Team Dressy. I feel pulled together, crisp and professional when my outfit incorporates a button down shirt, even if it’s for a casual outfit.

Fitted Turtlenecks: They are my cold weather button down shirt! They work with all my cold weather bottoms and always streamline my outfit. Their simple elegance is timeless, and their high neckline is ideal for my long neck.

Jeans: I have an assortment of skinny and straight leg jeans in blue, black and white denim because tapered hems are the most versatile and practical silhouette for my lifestyle. I can wear the blue and black washes all year round in Seattle.

Black Cigarette Trousers: Over the last two years, I’ve been wearing jeans less frequently and trousers more regularly. I have two pairs of black cigarette trousers that work with most of my tops and I enjoy the non-denim option.

Black Pencil Skirt: I wear my black pencil skirt less frequently because black trousers feel more current. But every so often my black pencil feels perfectly feminine, and it’s there for those occasions.

Biker Jacket: I’ve had a biker jacket in my wardrobe since the ’80s, updating the item as the silhouettes changed over time. It’s become a timeless and iconic classic that can be worn over jeans and a cocktail dress.

Pinstripe Blazer: This blazer is part of a suit. I wear the blazer more frequently than the trousers because I like to wear the blazer over dresses, skirts and fashion forward trousers. The gangster stripe appeals to my androgynous style persona.

Converse Sneakers: Ideal for very casual settings and dog walking. Another iconic classic that stands the test of time.

Tall Flat Boots: Equestrian in vibe and my favourite way to traipse around in ghastly wet weather and still feel chic and pulled together.

Tall Dressy Boots: They make my lightweight skirts and dresses wearable in the cooler months.

Oversized Watch: I adore my pearl necklaces, but wear them less frequently because I’m into sporting a minimal jewelry-free style. Instead, I wear a large watch daily and rotate a couple of metals throughout the week.

To save you the effort of comparing this list to the previous one, here are the changes: I’ve taken out the denim pencil skirt and replaced it with black cigarette trousers. I’ve added in tall flat boots and tall dressy boots. I replaced the chunky pearl necklaces with an oversized watch.

If you haven’t developed your own list of wardrobe essentials, feel free to use this list as a starting point. Substitute the items so that they are in line with YOUR style needs. For example, my turtlenecks might be your scoop neck long sleeved t-shirts. My jeans might be your denim or cotton skirts. My button down shirts might be your knitted mock wrap tops. My moto jacket might be your tweed blazer. My cigarette pants might be your midi skirts. My ballet flats might be your wedge sandals. And my trench coat might be your safari jacket.

It will take a few seasons to put together an accurate and comprehensive list of wardrobe essentials because, ideally, you need to road test the outfit combinations through an entire season to make sure that they work for you. But you have to start somewhere, and now is as good a time as any. Once you have an understanding of your wardrobe essentials, it becomes easier to create outfits because they are the building blocks of your wardrobe. The items that you turn to over and over again because they never let you down.

1.Camisoles
2.Button down shirts: My basic white and navy
3.Fitted Turtlenecks
4.Jeans
5.Navy Trousers
I’m in a navy phase!
6.Dresses
7.Blazers
8.Winter Coat (here in Portugal we have hot in the summer and cold in the winter, I have a trench but don’t use it much..
9.A gorgeous bag
10. a navy suit for the office
11.a nice and comfy pair of pumps for the office
12.Ballet Flats
13. a dressy pair of pumps
14.a pair of booties
15.Bracelets
16.Watch

Thanks for this timely post! As we edge toward Fall it’s time for me to reevaluate my own essentials. It’s interesting to look at your list as a template for my lifestyle and body shape. I’m not as enamoured of trousers, so skirts will stay as an essential for me. And turtlenecks become crew or vnecks, given my less than swan-like neck! I like the emphasis on footwear, as more and more I’m seeing how different shoes transform the feel of an outfit. I’m going to have some fun playing with this!

My wardrobe mostly consists of essentials, I’m afraid. My main changes the resents years have been to move over to soft shirts and long cardigans. I now have several shirts in different cotton/silk blends that I’ve worn with a cami underneath, today I’m wearing one over a top with ¾ sleeves, and I plan to layer them under pullovers come winter. I also have bought a couple of long cardigans and am on the lookout for a few more. I want to use them open over skinnies. I’ve realized that then I also need several new longer tops to layer under the cardigans. Since I rely so much on the top/knitted topper/jeans/boots combo, I’ll better try to make it look current!

This list is food for thought.
1. My sleeveless tanks are your camisoles (although I do have some camisoles too) Like you I wear one almost daily and mostly black or white.
2. Yes, buttondown shirts especially in white, black and denim/chambray.Lately I’d add silk buttondown shirts as a wardrobe basic.
3. Lots of fitted turtlenecks, especially in black, brown and cream.
4. Jeans: mostly dark wash or white straight or skinny cut. I need to find a new pair of black ones .For summer the jeans become denim clamdiggers in the same colors.
5. My “cigarrette pants” are probably my BR Martin fit skinnies which need replacing as soon as they have my size back in stock. This time I’m going up a size for a looser fit. In the summer the black cotton Karen Kane wlaking shorts would fit here.
6. The Halogen seamed black pencil skirt gets lots of action all year. I’d like a midi length one.
7. Biker jacket, yes! Especially leather.
8. My basic blazer is black. A pinstriped one would be fun.
9. Yes, denim jackets in dark, medium and very light blue as well as white.
10. I couldn’t function without the LBD and have a sleeveless sheath that’s more dressy and a sleeveless ponte knit pull shift on that can be dressed up or down, belted or waist surrendering.
11. Trench coat: I don’t have a good basic one right now. My down puffer is also essential.
12. Ballet flats all the time,all year round, especially metallics. I like your two-toned Chanal-esque flats and feel that the tones help large feet to look smaller.
13. I have Converse sneakers but your Converse sneakers as a basic are my athletic ballet flats in a nude or metallic. Again worn year-round.
14. Tall flat boots. I have some and love them but last winter was so mild that I ended up wearing booties more as a daily basic.
15. Dressy boots in black.
16. Oversized watch. Yes, daily.
17. Earrings: diamond studs with my white specs, gold or silver hoops with brown specs.
18. Hardly ever without a small crucifix necklace in either gold or white gold and sometimes layered with other necklaces.

Great list! I’ve actually had a wardrobe essential list as my shopping guide and it has worked out far better than I’d imagined The classic trench can pull together almost any outfit, the pencil and LBD can be dressed up and down, blazers give a more put together look etc. The list covers all seasons, work and casual and goes something like this:

This is a fabulous post Angie and a timely reminder with the changing of the seasons. I need to give some thought and figure out my essentials – some are obvious like pencil skirts, blazers, dresses – but there are more that require consideration.

Thanks for this post, Angie. The timing is perfect as the seasons change and we start to look ahead. I’m not going to make my list now since I think some things are changing in my basics lineup, but I will make a list after I examine my closet later this week. (Yes, it’s on my schedule!)

One recent change is that my black cigarette trousers and midi skirts started playing more of a role in my wardrobe over the summer. I’m curious to see how they transition for cooler weather and whether they actually become wardrobe essentials.

1- Skinnies: I have the same style and brand in four different shades: mid-blue, dark blue, light blue and black
2- Tall black equestrian boots
3- Black ballet flats -might need to get new ones though… current ones deserve to be replaced and left alone
4- Wool coats -I have five
5- A-line dresses, both for winter and for summer
6- Black tights of different thickness
7- Cardigans and layering tops
8- Patterned scarves
9- Earrings & Watch
10- I have ONE white shirt and I think I’ll buy a couple more, given the compliments I’ve received when wearing it.

1.Camisoles-I also use these as a layering piece daily for warmth and/or extra coverage wtih sheer tops.
2.Short Sleeve Ts-My version of a button down shirt, I wear one almost every day as a base layer. Sometimes these are striped or prints, but most often it’s a solid color.
3.Fitted Turtlenecksand LS Ts-I like to mix in both for extra warmth in cooler months. These are again mostly solids.
4.Jeans-My wardrobe cannot function without jeans. I wear them daily and wear straight leg and bootcut styles in equal amounts. I recently branched out into a colored pair (green) but stick mostly to blue washes.
5.Blazers-I adore the look of a crisp blazer with jeans, the mix of casual bottom with classic top is fun to wear.
6. Cardigans-An essential item because I am on team cold, I wear more cardigans than blazers in warmer months (I like to roll up a cardigan in my bag for the hot outdoors).
7. Scarves-I wear a scarf almost daily in cooler months.
8. Boots-I wear boots year round, booties in warmer months under bootcut jeans and tall boots tucked into skinnies or straight leg jeans in cooler months.
9. Fashion sneaker-My ballet flat fill in, I like to wear socks and keeping my feet covered. I currently have a black pair that mimics an oxford style shoe.
10. Steel watch-I wear the same watch daily.
11. Wool coat-I will wear a puffer coat on the coldest days but I prefer to sport a fun bright colored wool coat in cooler weather.
12. Trench coat-An essential piece for the rainy months.

I like to wear bright pinks and blues and floral prints, and the black and white basics keep a lot of those from becoming orphans.

I recently bought a pair of nude heels because I do wear a lot of sundresses in spring/summer, and I’ve seen them recommended everywhere as a wardrobe basic, but so far I haven’t worn them as often as I thought I would. Maybe by the time it’s warm enough for me to wear these dresses, we go straight into summer sandals and bypass spring shoes entirely?

Harmonica, it sounds like you’ve listed most of your wardrobe! It might be a good idea to break it down further. WHICH blazers are essentials and which are statement pieces. Which dresses and which blouses. Hope that makes sense.

Angie, I’m glad you put the word “personal” in the title of this thread. Each woman’s list will be different, as we have different lifestyles and therefore different wardrobe needs. I get tired of reading the “must have” lists that bear very little resemblance to my lifestyle and occupation.

As I learn more about what I prefer and what I need, I think there are some items I want to add or replace that would become essentials for me:
1. Fitted Turtlenecks: I love turtlenecks, but the ones I have are tired and worn out. I find it difficult sometimes to locate the right turtleneck for me, but I’d like to resume the hunt this fall and winter.
2. Black Cigarette Trousers or slim black trousers: I love this type of trouser, but I don’t know if the cigarette style works for my body type. Perhaps there is something similar out there.
3. Trench Coat: I haven’t found the perfect one yet, but this would be ideal for my climate.
4. Converse Sneakers: need to get some…

over the last couple of years i’ve come much closer to defining my personal style in this climate, lifestyle, and time of life. i’m about 70% towards nailing down my wardrobe needs and populating my closet with these items. I am hopeful that when i get my closet to 85-90% of ‘fully functioning’ this list will really gel. It is very helpful to make these lists at various stages along the way so i can see what i’ve been thinking all along! steph

Ooh, we get to make a list! Fun. And useful, too — it had not occurred to me to think about this. I have just realized that since joining this site, my essential boatneck 3/4 sleeve tee shirts are being replaced by collared, button-front shirts. I guess I’m edging closer to team dressy. I’m even thinking of getting a white one and figuring out a way to make it work, despite the fact that it doesn’t really suit my complexion — perhaps with a sweater over top? They just appeal to me so much.

Most of my shoes and skirts fall into the category of “statement pieces”, I think. I prefer plain and sleek on top, and if I’m going to add details, pattern or colour, I generally do so on the bottom. My list makes it sound like I don’t wear skirts, but I do so all the time — at least half the week! — but none of them are really what I would call basic, except perhaps a black pencil skirt that I quite like but don’t wear all that often. My wardrobe could certainly function without it!

Hmm, Angie, I kind of feel like I would have no style without statement pieces, and the particular things I’ve listed are all things that I have had in some form or other in my wardrobe for years (except for the soft blouses, but that was back when I never wore blouses…). I’m not good with just “the basics”. But I do get your point. I did think my list was rather long though, LOL…

Although the wool coat is an essential! Let’s go with the black one rather than the cobalt one. I don’t do puffers, it’s my cold weather coat.

I’ve bought a couple of fitted, button-down shirts but haven’t worn them yet. Note to self: wear the first item before continuing to buy more of the same.

The most important change for me after finding YLF was to start wearing ankle boots or covered sandals instead of clunky gear shoes, as they then allow me to wear cute jackets, necklaces, bracelets, scarves, etc., that you just can’t wear otherwise. Footwear and well-fitted clothing above all!

Diana, thanks for chiming back in. Your statement pieces can’t function without the essentials – that’s the important difference . We are not listing statement pieces. Does that make sense? Agreed! Your black coat is an essential. I’d add to your minimalist list: flat oxfords, scarves and a shrunken blazer.

Great lists, Steph, Lemonade, Rae, Jamie, Ginkgo, Elisabeth and Carole. You have it down!

That’s a great question, Sharon. A statement piece can be a wardrobe essential, but more often than not, a wardrobe essential is basic and does not make a huge statement. Wardrobe essentials are like the bricks used to build a wall. The statement piece is the stunning painting on the wall.

For example, I thought long and hard about my red Kate Spade pumps. They are a statement piece that are a wardrobe essential – that’s when things get blurry. I left them off the list because my wardrobe *would* function without them.

This must be where I am stuck. I was ‘holding’ open the 2008 post for the longest time trying to figure out mine before and now here is it again, and I don’t feel any closer. Well tht is not true, I feel closer because I identified one uniform recently,

perfect fit chinos
soft blouses in bright colors
camisoles

I would like to put Blazers.
but I cannot say a specific blazer as they are in general a part of my style. A few years back I wore trousers, a pretty tank and a blazer as my standard work look. But I drifted away from that and don’t feel I want to go back.

for summer I might say wedges, and loafers. Many of the wedges are statement though and some are not. But they don’t transition to the next season. is that ok since I am very seasonal in my style? Boho is summer much more.

IN winter it is heeled ladies boots in black and brown and taupe. And for casual some grey booties and riding boots. None of these are hero pieces, so I hope then they are essentials.

Hmm, still working on this. I think I need sure style for a season to know for sure.

Great to think about this! I feel like my list is kind of short – I might be forgetting something important, but just off the top of my head this is what I come up with:

1. Jeans – all shapes and washes
2. Camisoles and Tanks – for an underlayer – wear almost everyday
3. Boots – flat ankle and flat tall
4. Ballet flats
5. Woven shirts – usually button down the front, but doesn’t have to be
6. Flat or short-heeled oxfords – my go-to shoe 3 seasons out of the year
7. Cropped or tuxedo style black blazer
8. Long-sleeved scoop neck tees – to wear as an underlayer in the winter
9. LBD – or some version of this
10. Denim jacket
11. Casual dresses or skirts
12. A no-nonsense bracelet

I can see how this is a good exercise, but it seems overwhelming to tackle right now. Obviously, my closet needs alot of work to sort through and develop a cohesive wardrobe. I will have to work on this later.

Oh, I really like this one. It fills a gap in my thinking. Like basics and essentials aren’t necessarily the same. Essentials and statement pieces aren’t the same. Essentials are the items that you turn to over and over again.

When I think about it, some of my essentials are things that I can’t live without. They are my style to some degree, but also I have to “work around them,” because I need them for their functional utility. And boy, some of these things I’ve been wearing since first grade. Gak.

Thanks for this list, Angie! I’ve just finished composing my list, using yours as a basis. I’ll try to condense it here.
1. Camisoles in nude, ivory, black, brown, and dark blue, plus some other colors, for layering under see-through tops and for warmth under other layers.
2. Close-fitting long- or 3/4 sleeve tees, to serve same function as camisoles, in colder weather.
3. Scoop-neck or jewel-neck long sleeve tees in neutrals and fun colors, to layer under cardigans and jackets, along with scarves or fun jewelry. These are the base of my layering most days. Short-sleeve versions or ribbed tanks for summer.
4. Slim straight-leg jeans in ankle and long length, dark blue wash and white. Boot-cut jeans in dark blue wash and in white. I wear jeans almost every day that I’m not working, and I love to travel in them.
5. Jeans alternatives: corduroys in the winter and casual Bermuda shorts (including one pair of slim jean shorts) in the summer. I have to keep reminding myself that I don’t need too many of either of these.
6. Skinny pants in black, brown, and charcoal: a base for swingy or long tunics and sweaters.
7. Wider, slouchy, or flared-leg pants in black, brown, charcoal, navy, and shades of muted olive or dark sage. These are a base for my closer fitting and shorter jackets.
8. Skirts in a couple of different silhouettes and lengths, in black, brown, taupe, charcoal, navy. Straight skirts in midi and mini lengths, flared skirts in midi to maxi lengths.
9. LBDs. Two for cold weather—one a fitted sweater dress with a button placket, and the other a casual t-shirt style with a cowl neck. I just bought an oregano colored sleeveless knit dress to serve as my summer LBD.
10. Jean jacket. Finally found one during NAS (but not on sale, unfortunately) and have been wearing it several times a week since. A hemp hooded jacket serves as a light-colored jeans-jacket alternative for me.
11. Coats. Vivid leafy-green hooded single-breasted trench with a button-out lining and putty-colored sporty hooded “trench” are three-season essentials. A teal short trench for warmer weather. Two wool coats, one eggplant and the other an ombre plaid in black, off-white, and taupe, for coldest weather.
12. Ballet flats. Two dressy–black with patent cap-toe and purple suede with black patent cap-toe. Brown suede with patent toe. A casual black pair with very thin criss-crossed elastic bands that I wish were more comfortable, because they really do fill a gap that the dressier versions or oxfords (see below) do not.
13. Brown oxfords. A ballet flat alternative to wear with skinny jeans. Not sure these are essential.
14. Clogs. I have weaned myself off the round-toe staples that I wore until a couple of years ago, but I still love the comfort and style of my newer brown, tapered toe, buckled ones. These probably aren’t essential any more either.
15. Low-heeled mary janes. Three pairs, all almond-toe with an updated feel. Two pairs are sling backs, one black and one distressed pewter, and the other pair is gray with a wedge heel. All feel chic yet feminine, and I love them with skirts, pants, and jeans.
16. Boots, boots, boots. Tall close-fitting boots in black with a wedge heel, for dressy boot-cut pants and skirts or dresses. Flat riding style boots in tobacco brown to wear with skinnies tucked in or with skirts and short dresses. Low-heeled tall black boots to give an alternative to the brown ones. Booties in a taupe-gray, and two pairs in black.
17. Sandals. The new ones I got this summer in a sort of creamy taupe color have been absolute workhorses. I am surprised at how many outfits came together largely because I had them.
18. Stainless steel and gold medium-sized watch. Wedding and engagement rings in white gold with ruby and diamond setting, and very narrow infinity style band with ruby chips.
19. Stone-taupe satchel handbag. I carry it daily year-round. Just got a small cross-body bag in the same color but slightly dresser look, for occasions that I don’t want to lug around a big bag.
20. Trouser socks in black, brown, and navy, to wear with booties and oxfords under pants. Tights in black, brown, gray, navy. Nude stockings and fishnets.

Potential gaps I see in these essentials: Long winter coat. Skinny pants in navy, to go with some of my tops and sweaters for work (where I can’t wear jeans). Casual ballet flats to replace the uncomfortable ones, or some adjustment so they are more comfortable.

Lots of food for thought here, as I mull over just how essential these “essentials” are!

Not only are you a fashion stylist, you’re a mindreader, too, as I was just about ready to print and compare lists. Well, I’m still printing the list. LOL

A few essentials come to mind for me:

Jeans, all colors and shapes

Button down shirts, non-iron (a post-YLF discovery and lesson)

V-neck sweaters (in solids and argyle prints. I love the way these add something nice and a layer of warmth to my outfits in cooler months)

Pinstripe suit (a new addition to my wardrobe I hope to enjoy as separates, too)

LNavyDress (I do own a LBD, 3/4-sleeve and sleeveless, too)

Blazers (these do add polish to a simple outfit)

Black Cigarette Trousers (I have a number of black pants/trousers and some may fall into this category. I’ve wanted a perfect pair for a long time and wonder about zipper placement and ankle opening circumference. I’d love to shop with Angie, one day, and get the perfect designer pair, that would be a wardrobe essential, statement piece and great memory)

Leather Moto jacket (black, saddle and white)

Denim jacket (another post-YLF addition, and it’s a true staple)

Trench coat (I have an above-the-knee black Burberry and I love it and a longer khaki one)

Ballet flats (worn all the time in neutrals, black, metallics, lime green!)

Booties (Broken record…again, found this essential after joining YLF and they add so much to my personal wardrobe and style goals)

Converse Sneakers (my charcoal Cons get steady use and blend with all my casual wear)

Equestrian-style boots (flat heels and I have them in black and brown)

Tall black suede heeled boots (I only have one pair, a black suede that is a pull-on and hugs my calf. They are elegant and add such beauty to an outfit. I’ve had them resoled once and will always find a way to include these in my wardrobe and hope something like them is available when they need to be replaced).

Great food for thought! I’m cleaning out my closets and this is very timely! I’m getting more and more streamlined. I just gave away some clothes that I had been hanging on to in the event of blah, blah, blah. When I really take a look at them, they are so not my style any more. So off they go.

From my list I can see need to expand on separates. I have one pair of skinny jeans I wear in the winter a denim skirt I wear occasionally in the summer. I also have black trousers but I would like to find a pair that fits me better. I just purchased a new trench coat & will think about wearing my black one more often but it was a a bit “corporate” to me– but the raincoat I wore this year was too casual.

In summer when it’s 40C++ (100F++) I wear a lot of linen. Linen pants with a jacket style tunic or a linen dress for this to feel like me I need killer jewellery, bags & sandals.

In winter it’s jeans or straight legged pants with jackets & boots. I’ve started to think about my winter tops, I think my style is changing because I haven’t been happy with them this winter. Other essentials are camis, great underwear (the girls are big) & a raincoat.

Angie, I love that your posts can make me look at what I have with a whole new perspective.

If you’d asked me before, I would have said that I have tons, tons of essentials. That makes me wonder if they really are essentials. I can’t help but feel a little bit like that’s where I’m going wrong with my weekend wear capsule (maybe swirling whirlpool of craziness is a better description) and going out capsule (or lack thereof). I haven’t really focused on building off of my true essentials there. I’m going to spend a little time tonight staring at my closet and really thinking this through!

Well I dedicated a whole day to clean out my closet. I have been hanging onto stuff well that is too tight…. so here is the list of my basics they all fit and are mended.
1. jeans both straight leg and boot cut in a dark wash
2. cargo pants in khaki, gray, wheat linen
3. chino pants both straight legged and peg legged
4. a denim skirt and a green cargo skirt
5 3/4 scooped neck and v-neck T shirts in neutral colors and prints
6.draped cardigan, traditional cardigans and pull over V-neck sweaters
7. button down shirts in a few in white and few in colors and few printed ones
8. denim jacket
9. dress slacks in brown, oyster, and black
10. camisoles in neutral and a few colors
11. mule style tennis shoes in neutrals, flat sandals in cognac and black, brown and metallic colors
12. ballet flats in black, brown, silver, orange and tan
13. muted green T-shirt dress
14. watch and wedding band
I consider my scarves, and other jewelery the stars of my closet so I didn’t mention them here.

SO fun to read everyone’s lists, I loved going through them all! This was a much harder exercise than I expected; it was tough to differentiate what is an essential vs. something that gets a lot of use and is a workhorse but may NOT be an essential vs. what is simply a core element of my style. Hope you don’t mind a long response, because that’s what I have

[BOTTOMS]
1. Jeans. I wear a lot of silhouettes, washes, and colors but for me the essentials are black, gray, and white skinnies as well as a blue flared pair. All the others (and there are many) are trendy and may not last more than a year or two in my closet.
2. Slim black trousers. A long pair for f/w, and a cropped pair for s/s.
3. Baggy shorts. A wool pair for f/w, and both a denim and silky pair for s/s.

[TOPS]
4. Sweaters. I wear them all year in fine guages, even in the summer! I like to wear long sleeve fitted sweaters in f/w, and elbow sleeve loose slouchy sweaters in s/s.
5. Button-up shirts. My favorite type of shirt, and the essentials for me are white and chambray; if/when I find a good black one, that’d probably become an essential, too.
6. Tissue tee turtlenecks. Worn primarily for transitional weather, but that is a loooong period here in Seattle.
7. Layering tanks. Worn all year-round, and though not necessarily every day, they are absolutely essential for me. Usually tissue weight, the essentials are black, gray, and white.

[DRESSES]
8. Jersey summer dress. Not sure how essential vs. statement they are, but I know that without them _I_ would not function in the summer I usually get one or two each summer, and toss after a year or two.
9. Sheath. Haven’t had many opportunities to wear it, but my eggplant sheath has already been an event outfit life saver several times in the short period I’ve had it.

[TOPPERS]
10. Blazer in my core neutral. For f/w this is a longer black blazer, and for s/s this is a shorter white blazer.
11. Moto jacket. Always have at least one!
12. Denim jacket. My cropped one gets the most use.
13. Long wool coat, trench coat. I don’t like to wear coats, but here in Seattle they are required at minimum half of the year. Which makes them technically essential.

[FOOTWEAR]
14. Nude pumps. Completes ANY outfit in s/s since this is when I particularly dislike wearing dark footwear. Currently I’m using dove gray, and would like to add camel as well.
15. Flat black shoes. This is a shoe I like to update (and add additional pairs of) every few seasons; a couple years ago it was a python pressed skimmer flat, this year a patent loafer. Especially useful for casual s/s outfits.
16. Boots. Like sweaters I also wear boots year ’round. The essentials for me are a short nude pair for s/s, and for f/w a casual tall flat pair and a dressy tall heeled pair.

[ACCESSORIES]
17. Tights. Necessary in winter and transitional weather, for sure! The essentials for me are black opaque, black and gray sweater, and nude microfishnet.
18. Oversized watch. I have several and wear one every day. Along with my wedding ring, this is the jewelry piece I won’t give up in almost any outfit.

This is surprisingly hard to do! My first thought was that I should separate my work and home/MOTG needs because they are *vastly* different and there isn’t much crossover.

Work:
1. Suits: 3-4 suits that can also be worn as separates
2. Neutral trousers: multiple pairs of various styles and lengths. Straight leg, wide leg and boot cuts
3. Silky button down tops: I’m finding that I feel more comfortable with a silky top rather than a crisp button down
4. Sleeveless layering shells in multiple colors, prints and necklines
5. Heels: black, grey and a lighter color to match my hair
6. Dressy tall boots: black and “blonde”
7. Chunky watches: my chunky white DKNY is the one I use most, but I also have a fab chunky gold MK watch.

Woo! And thank you for proposing this exercise, it provided me some pretty incredible insight especially since I hope to do a BIG wardrobe review in the next week *pushes up sleeves* Now I need to figure out what is missing!

Great post, and really got me thinking and working on my list. Full detals below – I have a few items to shop for, but the nice thing is that these are all kind of “timeless” so I can take my time and be opportunistic about snagging them.

• Jeans (blue and white, check)
• Slim black pants, non-denim (check)
• Pencil skirts (check, many of them – probably the single most important item type for my work wardrobe)
• Day dresses for all seasons (check, my favorite outfit option; would like to add more)
• Party dress (check, got a fun black stretchy lace one)
• Black dresses (I’m lacking this at present! Looking for two versions: a sleeveless one, and a long-sleeved one; both need to be versatile for both dressy occasions and regular work outfits)
• White button downs (check)
• Black tops for layering and standalone wear, both sleeveless and ¾ or long sleeve (check)
• Cardigans (check)
• An “outfit anchor” in a rich bright red (by “outfit anchor” I mean either a skirt or pants or a dress). (check, got a red skirt, red dress, and also cropped red jeans)
• Trench (check, got a black one for fall and a coral one for spring)
• Winter coat (check, got a classic black one, a bright red one, and a houndstooth one)
• All-weather fall jacket (check)
• Cropped leather jacket (not going good here, somehow missed the moto craze and only have a “bomber style” one that I don’t love)
• Black dressy knee high boots (check)
• Non-black knee high boots (check, though my favorite sand colored Fryes are very worn and I’d like to replace)
• Booties (not doing great here, this is on my fall shopping list)
• Colorful flats, 2 inch heels, and pumps (check)
• Colorful scarves (check, though I always swap new ones in)
• Statement necklace (check, got a great turquoise one, though would like to have one with red as well)
• Fun earrings (check, though I always swap new ones in)

This is a very useful exercise, Angie. I think I also struggle to separate essentials from statement pieces. Let’s try though:
1. Jeans. I wear them at least 2-3 times a week in all seasons – long in winter, clams in summer. Leans are my staple for tall boots.
2. Button down shirts, also at least 1-2 times a week – all year round.
3. Turtlenecks in colder months – need to get more of those.
4. Cool season sleeveless sheath dresses. My thrifted charcoal sheath was a real workhorse coming out to play almost weekly. To bad it needs a replacement now.
5. Tall low heel boots are staple in bad weather with leans. Surprisingly I don’t have any flat tall boots – not fro the lack of trying.
6. Oxfords are new basic for me. Never wore them until a year ago and this summer I wear my yellow / cream oxfords at least once a week.
7. Nude wedge sandals is another summer staple – go with everything and make every outfit look good.
8. Faux snake skin tote for work – I can fit in my lunch and yoga clothes.
9. Small cross-body bag. I replaced an old thrifted one with a new platinum crossbody this summer and use it every day. If I need a bigger bag (like tote) this crossbody goes into it!
10. Denim jackets for summer. My office is cold and I need a topper all the time. These jackets are perfect for dresses and skirts – also use them weekly.
11. Trousers, wide leg and straight leg pants.
These ones I am pretty sure are basics. However there are others I cannot function without but I am not sure they are basics too:
1. Wool coats. They tend to be somewhat of a statement with color and cut – but I wear them every day for 4-5 cold months. Trenches do not get worn as much due to our weather.
2. Jackets. Again wear them very often in cooler weather but none more often that others and most of them tend to be of a statement piece – or not?
3. Pencil skirts – grey and yellow. Yellow one sounds more like statement but I wore it more frequently that the grey one last year…

I keep thinking of all those published lists about what every woman should own. It’s interesting to see how many actually rely on those kinds of items, and esp. as a set.

I have also learned that I have a lot of sweaters, and I end up wearing my “chunky knits” most often, but really sweaters are not in the equation much because I layer my tissue tees under other tops to keep warm and show off the top… if only I’d take off that darned puffer coat. LOL.

I read all the comments to make sure I understood the question correctly — I feel like a lot of my wardrobe is full of statement pieces because of my rather maximalist nature…

Bottoms:
Black skinny pants (as in not denim)
I’m not sure if I should list denim because right now I have no basic blue jeans in my wardrobe (except for my pair with patches, but that’s a statement right? I wear it as a basic though…) and so far I haven’t felt like I’ve needed any.

For work:
AT wool pants in black, camel, various browns, tweeds. Rayon-blend trousers in black, gray, and khaki/camel for peak of summer.
Tahari rayon “T “ shirts-short, ¾ and long-sleeve and a few other “dressy” T’s
Faux-wrap or ruched tops in black and some prints-grab- and-go with tank and pants
Layering tank tops in 10+ colors ! JJill perfect tanks worn backwards to be high enough for me.
Black and brown Clarks’ slip-on shoes in several styles and heel heights
Ankle boots in black and brown
Cashmere pullover sweaters—round and V-neck, mostly neutrals, some reds
Cotton or rayon blend cardigans, V and jewel, in solids and prints—wear buttoned as a “top” or unbuttoned as a topper
Some jackets–? If statement or basic-e.g.,Tahari linen-blend ruched sleeve jacket and BR cream safari jacket I’ve worn over everything this summer. Brown and black and tweed jackets that go with multiple bottoms.

3. Shoes – In the summer it’s all about a wedge in fun bright colors or nice neutrals. In the fall/winter it must be a boot. Usually a riding boot in black, brown or grey (to match anything). Must be worn with a dress !

4. Dresses – In the summer with wedge – in the winter with riding boots and tights (and of course, don’t forget your cami under your dress !!).

5. Statement Watch – go big or go home !! Love a nice substantial watch, like Michael Kors. I have have several inexpensive big faced, fun colored watches. Have nice “delicate” watch on hand also for just the right occasion.

6. Black Wide Leg Pants – wear with a black pump or black high heeled boot. I have about 3 pairs of these pants. MUST HAVE.

7. Capri/Ankle Pants – I live in Ohio and in Spring and Fall these pants are great transitional pieces. Wear with wedges, flats or a shootie. Get several colors and some printed options too !

10. Glasses – I also have to wear glasses everyday like you Angie. I have about 6 pair that I can choose from – for me it’s an accessory to my outfit.

11. Earrings – I have a pixie haircut and am currently obsessed with wearing a bigger earring. Feminine and bold ! I also have some basic Honora pearls for days where I want to tone it down.

12. Bracelet – I always wear a bracelet (or 2). I have several nice gold bracelets my husband has given me over the years and I layer those. I also have some fun colored bead bracelets I wear. My watch choice usually dicates what bracelt I choose.

13. Foundation Garmet (aka Spanx) – Although I am considered “small” at age 43 I still have some unwanted bulges – and a shaper helps me feel pulled together and I think makes me clothes fitter better. I wear one to work everyday (skip them on weekends).

This was great reading – even a year later! I am super-inspired to start a closet clean out even though it’s mid-summer ….I just have too many random pieces of clothing that don’t work – and I am itching to sort it all out and start fresh with a selection of clothes that I actually wear and that look good. Love this website!!